OK our first stop on the trip; Brueno Sand dunes, we talked about how the sand dunes were formed, then the kids were able to run and play and climb the dunes that was fun for them! They had sand all over them but they thought it was the coolest thing to roll and jump and slide in the sand! Back on the bus we went, headed over to three island crossing where we learned that the Indians knew the land and river well and as the pioneers would come to the river the Indians would help the pioneers cross to safety. There was also a lot of trading going on between them as well. They were friendly to each other! The kids were able to walk down and see the crossing site at the river! We loaded up the bus and headed down the road again to the Malad gorge. Where we walked out to a long narrow bridge and stood over the huge gorge. It for me was a bit frightening cause I am scared of heights but for Allie and many of the kids it was so cool. We then did a bus tour and stopped at a few other places and got out to look at different things. The ranger asked the kids what they thought this plant was that was a sage green color and flat and shaped like a cow pie, it was cow pie buck wheat, and if stepped on would die within a year or so. We finished the bus tour of the gorge and then got back into our SUV and drove down the road to the Hagerman fish hatchery where we learned how fish were made and taken care of at the hatchery, they are tagged and tracked from the time they are eggs. They then are released and you can tell if they are from a hatchery because they have a clipped fin. The kids were then able to see some large sturgeon fish and touch them, they thought that was a lot of fun! We had fun there and then headed for the bus to go to the Hagermen fossil beds visitor center. We saw the Idaho horse, we were unable to go to the fossil bed dig site due to the distance it was from the visitors center and the time we had. We loaded the bus and headed to Shoshone falls! We ate dinner there and looked at the falls, the kids were able to explore and wander a bit! It was relaxing to just sit and enjoy the sun and to catch our breath a little. We then got back on the bus and headed for the church where we would stay! We unloaded all the overnight stuff, had the kids lay out there beds and then they played around a bit till it was time for us to load the bus and head to the Harret center at the College of Southern Idaho. We spent the evening star gazing and looking through the telescopes at the the different planets and even saw Saturn and Venus and a star cluster. We had a great time! We boarded the bus and headed back to the church, got the kids ready for bed and turned out the lights and it only took twice before all the kids were quiet and well on their way to sleep! And we adults sleep as much as we could before 6:30 came around. I got up dressed and ready and then the kids all started getting up by 7:00. Allison was up and ready to be the first to eat breakfast! The kids all were ready to leave by 8:00 amazing! We headed back to the Harret Center, where we were able to see some reptiles(snakes and reptiles) the kids were all so tired still. The thought that the reptiles were pretty cool! We then were able to go back to the observatory and view the sun through a special solar lens. We saw sun spots and gases that were be expelled by the sun! It was pretty cool! We then saw a planatrium show Venus transits the Sun. By the way will happen on June 5th. So that was pretty cool for the kids to know what to expect! We looked around at the museum after the planitrerum show for a while longer and then it was time to head back to the bus! We all headed out to Craters of the Moon. We arrived there and had a brief explaintion of how the lava came to be and then we were drove to the trail where we did a 2 mile hike. It was fun, there were markers on the trail and a brief description about each site that was marked. The kids had a fun time being able to explore and look at the beauty of what nature creates! We then finished the hike and traveled a mile or so to the caves. We hiked to a cave and climbed down into it walked through it and then climbed out of it! The kids were afraid that they would see a bat but we never did! It was a fun little adventure! A place I would love to take the kids! We then loaded up again, and headed to dinner at Zeppes Pizza. It was nice to be able to relax. We ate and talked and the kids all played in the game room. We then loaded up again and drove to our final destination! We took all the kids swimming at 1000 springs, it was a large swimming pool heated by hot springs! We all swam, and had fun! There was volley ball, keep away foot ball, and there was a large log that we all played on as well. 1 hour of fun and then we were all tired and ready to be home. We loaded the bus and from what I hear most of the kids crashed on the bus! We pulled into town about 11pm. Let me just say that we were all so tired we crashed when we got home. I do have to say that this is a trip that Allie and I will never forget! This trip makes me excited for Home School because I can plan trips like this for the kids, knowing that we will be having many more opportunities to explore due to a more flexible schedule. I can not wait for this fall to start school with the kids!
That was our trip in a nut shell! We all had fun and enjoyed ourselves and made new friendships!
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